Sunday, June 29, 2008

The teacher who is indeed wise does not bid you to enter the house of his wisdom but rather leads you to the threshold of your mind. ~Kahlil Gibran

This was the last weekend of our 2008 teacher training. It has been a fabulously wild and transformative journey for all of us. I couldn't be more proud of these yogini's. To witness how far they've come in six months is truly remarkable. I can easily recall our first Saturday together back in January when I told them they were going to teach a sun salutation. I said I didn't care if they got it right or wrong, if it took five seconds or five minutes....it was simply important that they begin to find their voice. And find their voice they did. Not only did they find their voice, they brought their own energy and personalities to their teaching.

They are kind and compassionate teachers. They are fun and wise teachers.They are accepting and happy teachers.They are oh so creative and wonderfully inspiring teachers.

They have taught me much and served as such inspiration over the past six months. We have laughed hysterically together and cried together. We've been frustrated and confused together. We've celebrated the large and small triumphs. Together we explored the yamas & niyamas, the koshas & kleshas, the bandhas & chakras, the sutras & sankrit and every sun salutation you can imagine.

They've flipped their dogs, stood on heads & hands, opened their hearts, found themselves in a "bind", and in compromising positions. We all fell on our ass a time or two. But they saw it through. And this training my friends, is no easy feat.

I am proud to call them fellow teachers and fellow friends. Much love and joy to each of them as they embark on this new exciting journey. I'll be here to rally you on!

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Tonight driving home from the studio I was listening to an interview on NPR with the author of "My Stroke Of Insight". I was really engaged and could really relate to some of what she said.

The author says that since she had her stroke she can tap into feelings of bliss and joy at any time. She described it to being similar to feel what it's like to stand at the edge of the ocean, to hear the waves, and to feel the breeze. Each one of us can close our eyes and transport us to a place that helps us to feel peaceful and at ease. She says that she can take herself to a blissful place in that very same way, because she's experienced it and lived in that place for several weeks. She can tap into the right hemisphere of her brain at a moments notice. The place where we can be and live without judgement and critique. She lives in a state of euphoria. Can you imagine that?!

She said that in the early days after her stroke her mother stood guard at her door and only allowed people in for a few minutes and if they entered they could only take positive words and healing thoughts. She says that her mother caught on real early that other people fed their energy to her. Whether it was positive or negative. It reminds me to think about the company that I choose to keep. And to give the best that I have and surround myself with those willing to give the same in return.

She went on to say that she chooses not to dwell too long in the left hemisphere of her brain because she doesn't like the way it makes her body feel. When she dwells there too long her body tenses, her shoulders rise up, her jaw clenches, and her breath becomes shallow. These are all things I speak of in yoga class. In our present day society we're taught to "suck it up, "to dig deep" and my personal fave, "no pain no gain".

We expect to be stressed about jobs, bills, relationships, food and traffic. We expect to live with a body that doesn't feel good day in and day out. We expect to worry. We expect to be fearful.

When we notice this happening we can literally say let it go leftie...and move on over to the right. Operating from a place of love and joy. A place that knows all will be well. A place that's full of peace and contentment.

Sending you all good thoughts and wishing you nothing but the sweetest of dreams tonight. :-)

I was "that" girl in the back of the room snapping pics of you. ;-) How could I resist?

And the lovely yogini's at the Hindu Temple tonight for yoga, pranayama and discussion. If you are free this week try to make it over for a session. I imagine you'll be glad you did. I'm hoping to get back over there tomorrow night. Maybe I'll see you there? Click here for the details.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Thanks to everyone for coming out today for our very first FREE Yoga Day. I'm hoping to make this into an annual event at Barefoot Works. The teachers were fabulous. It was a complete thrill for me to witness these new teachers do "their" thing. To work their very own yoga magic. We embarked on this journey six months ago and to see how far they've come completely blows me away. Thank you to the students who support everything that goes on at the studio. Thank you for spreading the yoga word, thank you for encouraging your friends to come along. Thank you for trusting us to help take care of your body....and your spirit. What an honor it is. Always.

I took a two hour "nap" late this evening. It appears that my body was a bit tired! I expect to be up late catching up on some reading of my two faves....books and blogs. :-)

Thursday, June 19, 2008

I've been spending time at the cutest new coffee shop in Nicholasville, Main and Maple. OK, so we don't have much more other than Starbucks, until now! I spent some happy time here recently with a great flavored coffee and the new Yoga Journal.

Leading the gals of teacher training through some great exercises requiring reflection on what's important to them as teachers, modeling after teachers/mentors that they admire, visualizing where they want to teach, who they want to teach and how much they want to get paid, and where they'll be in 6 months up to five years, and much more. Isn't that a toughie....to imagine where we'll be in five more years?! And they created the cutest wish boxes ever. Check out Delia's....

Tomorrow I'm going to Cincinnati with three yogi's from teacher training to the Gaiam Outlet and IKEA. Maybe I'll come back with some goodies for the studio and my yoga room!

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

If you had never practiced yoga and you looked at the Barefoot Works website and you mozied over to teachers to read the bios.....what types of questions would you appreciate having answered?

I ask this because as some of you know we'll be adding some new yogini's to the teaching staff so I'm updating a few things. I've thought about having a Q&A on the bio page and I'd love to know what you'd like to know about your yoga teachers. :-)

So leave a comment or shoot me an email!

Just an FYI, Tulum pics will be coming as we're retreating to Mexico in about a month...big happy smiley face.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

I left the house a few minutes earlier this morning and I was glad I did. I had my camera with me and pulled off the road a few times to take some pictures. I love the little country road that I drive from my house to Tates Creek. It's little. It twists and turns. Sometimes the road winds around so much that I accidentally turn my signal on thinking I'm turning. There are no painted lines on the road. There are places that you have to stop, pull over and wait to let the oncoming car pass you. As a gal from eastern KY I can appreciate that. I find that in the waiting theres a lesson to learn about patience and slowing slow. I lift my arm and signal a friendly wave to the passing cars.

I ask myself why this is done on back roads and in small towns. Why we give a wave of the hand or a nod of the head (you know what I'm talking about).

When did we get into such a hurry that we can't take two moments to acknowledge another?

When did we get so disconnected?

Then I remind myself that rather than dwelling on the disconnect I can focus on connecting with those that I encounter....Those that I order from at restaurants, those that I teach, those that try to sell me advertising, those that deliver my mail, and yes those that I pass on the road.

I figure that if yoga is really about union, and union is all about connection....I should at the very least attempt to be present with all those I encounter.

Then I see a pretty barn and I notice how green the grass is and how blue the sky is. I hop out of my car and take two moments to capture it. To remember how pretty this morning is.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

I've been admiring how pretty Teresa's classes are when she teaches chair yoga. She did a class with the teacher trainees. It was pretty to watch and makes me happy to know that yoga can be practiced by all. All the gals felt so inspired afterwards.I've been watching a late showing of Sex and the City. This was after working till 9:30 pm and before being back at the studio at 8:00 am the next morning. My friend couldn't believe I was snapping pics in the movie. Doesn't everybody?

I've been hanging out with my little nieces and nephews when I haven't been at the studio and teaching. I have to say that I have a whole new respect for the mama's and the papa's. Andy and I had the kids at our house four night during the past week. They're big work, big joy, big eaters, big heart warmers, and my goodness you can spend $50 so very quickly. Then you see them tuckered out like this: And you know it's completely worth all the time, energy....and money. ;-)

I'm working on a new business plan in a way that allows me to imagine more and stress less. There is a reason I'm not an accountant.

I'm working on the final details of teacher training. I'm a bit sad and a bit excited about the end. It has been much hard work, but as a teacher it's been the most rewarding thing I've done. I'm excited for the gals, excited about a soon to be completion of the first yoga teacher training, and a little saddened that our bi monthly dates will come to a close in a couple more weeks.

I've bought my plane ticket for Mexico and planning all the details for the days we'll be there. I'm doing down two days early as a litte treat for myself.

That's what's going on these days. I hope it's big happiness and joy where ever you are.

Friday, June 06, 2008

If you get a chance come see me at Joseph Beth tonight. I'll be there beginnig at 6:00. Bring a gently worn pair of shoes and get entered into drawings for gift certificates from Nine West and Barefoot Works.

Click here to read Sark's eletter for the month. She talks about us doing things badly and being accepting of it! Imagine that....I love the idea. Really, even if we're doing yoga "badly", isn't it better than not doing it at all?

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Sharon Tessandori

Hi, I'm Sharon welcome to the Barefoot Works blog! I'm the happy owner of Barefoot Works, a delightful yoga studio located in Lexington, KY. I blog here about our yoga happenings and life in general. Looking forward to getting to know you and hanging out on your yoga mat. Enjoy your visit - at the studio and here in blog-land.